Remembering Nanda Krushna Das: Odisha’s First Sports Icon

“Some people are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them,” goes a famous saying. One of those from Odisha who would aptly fit the ‘achieve greatness’ bill is Nanda Krushna Das.

Born in a respectable family on March 20, 1920, N K Das could become a very successful and accomplished sportsman through hard work, dedication and firm determination and earned the love and respect of people of the state. He was a versatile all-round athlete and excelled in a number of track and field events.

Gifted with a Greek-god like physique, he was described as a cheetah while running on athletic tracks. He defied gravity while clearing the high jump and pole vault cross bars, passed over the hurdles with the grace of a galloping horse and released the javelin like a guided missile, giving awestruck fans and spectators moments of great enthusiasm and cheer.

Das’ exploits would underscore Greek poet Homer’s famous lines: “There is no greater glory for man than to show the strength of his hands and speed of his feet.”

In the 14^th Indian Olympic Games held at Bombay in 1950, Das, representing Odisha, became the first athlete from the state to win gold medal in the grueling decathlon event and created history for Odisha sports. While serving in Odisha Police as well as CRPF, he led his team and won all-India meets on several occasions.

After his successful stint in Odisha Police and CRPF, he served as deputy director, physical education, government of Odisha, and is credited to have brought revolutionary changes in school sports. After retiring from active sports, he devoted his time and energy in coaching youngsters. Among his several famous trainees were national record holder in high jump Usharani Mishra (now Leslie) and national gold medalist Panchanan Gantayat. The most famous athlete coached by Das was Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, who was an Asian Games gold medalist and earned fifth place in 1964 Tokyo Olympics in 1964 (110 metre hurdles).

A memorable incident in 1964 involving Das is believed to have evoked a great deal of interest and enthusiasm among the sports-loving people of Odisha, particularly Cuttack city, then the nerve centre of sports in the state.

While young Das was doing his regular practice at Cuttack Police Ground, legendary Biju Patnaik, himself an ace sportsman and a contemporary of Das (4 years senior) suddenly landed up in the ground. Biju Babu challenged Das to cross a height of 10 feet 10 inches in pole vault, then a record which stood in his (Biju’s) name. Das very coolly accepted the challenge and cleared the height, thereby earning a cash award of Rs 100 from Biju.

In 2003-04, Das was awarded the state’s highest sports award – Biju Patnaik Award for Lifetime Achievement – posthumously in recognition of his immense contribution to sports.